Close To

Our project, called “Close To" , is a mix between a jacket and a blanket which allows you to send a virtual hug to a loved one.

The product is targeted at people of all ages and is thought to strengthen bonds within family members, friends or partners. They value their relationships and the familiar comfort of their homes. The idea stems from the consideration of the epidemiological situation in which we live: this Virus divides us and forces us to stay away from each other, and the more time passes the more our desire to get closer increases. We can’t do it “physically” so we have to find other solution, and this solution is “Close to” jacket. The overall shape will be generous and welcoming,; It can be obtained from a fairly simple pattern and easily assembled, so don’t be afraid and have fun building it with us!

The shape is a mix between a jacket and a blanket.

-LilyPad Arduino 3.3V

-Switch Button Lilypad

-Heating Pad 5x10cm (x2)

-Temperature sensor – TMP36

-Vibration Motor (x5)

-2N2222 NPN Transistor

-1KΩ Resistor

-10KΩ Resistor

-N-Channel MOSFET 60V 30A

-1N4001 Diode (x2)

-Capacitor ceramic 0.1uF

-USB micro-B Cable

-Conductive Thread Bobbin

-External fabric - 1,5x1,5

-Lining - 2,5x1,5

-Wadding - 1,5x,15

Send the files we provide to the FabLab closest to your home.

1A. For the laser cut, download and send the files -EXTERNAL STRUCTURE - LINING -PANEL

1B. For the 3D printer download the 3D files called "3D-Massaging (a), (b), (c) " and send it. Make sure to print each piece in the right number of copies.

1C. Download and print the supplied file “NUVOLO” and cut the wadding following the pattern

NB: Remember to bring the fabrics to the local FabLab for cutting.

Collect the pieces from the Fablab. The ones from the 3D printer may not be clean. So take some sandpaper and clean them up.

NB: While you are building the circuit, insert parts of heat-shrinkable tubing which you will heat up when the circuit is finished. This will secure and insulate the circuit’s connections.

1. Connect the left foot of the temperature sensor to the plus of Lilypad, the middle foot to pin 4, and the right foot to the ground of Lilypad.

2. Connect the vibe motors in parallel with a diode and capacitor.

3. Connect the positive side to the plus side of Lilypad (red wires of the vibe motors) and the negative side (black wires of the vibe motor) to the left leg of the transistor (C).

4. The middle foot of the transistor (B) should be connected to pin3 of Lilypad but it is important to insert a 1k hom resistor.

5. The right foot of the transistor (E) should be connected to ground (Lilypad negative and battery negative).

6. Left foot of the MOSFET (G) is connected to the + of Lilypad.

7. The middle foot of the MOSFET (D) is connected to the positive side of one of the 2 heating pads. Between the G and the S leg of the MOSFET a 10 k hom resistor is inserted.

8. The right foot is connected to pin 5 of Lilypad.

9. The left and right foot are connected by a 10khom resistor.

10. The connection of the left foot of the MOSFET (G) is also connected to ground.

11. The + of the 9V battery is connected to a switch which in turn is connected to the positive of the other heating pad. 12. The two heating pads are connected together in series: the positive foot of one is connected to the negative foot of the other.

12. The other 2 feet of the heating pad which are not connected to each other are connected by a diode.

NB: The diodes of point 2 and 13 are connected in reverse: the silver band of the diode is at the positive side of the circuit.

TIP: Before soldering, test the circuit with crocodile clips.

1. Connect Lilypad to your computer’s USB port

2. Open ARDUINO IDE 3. upload the following code:

float temp = 0;

const int motorPin = 3;

const int heaterPin = 5;

const int tmpPin = 4;

void setup()

{ pinMode(motorPin, OUTPUT);

pinMode(heaterPin, OUTPUT);

pinMode(tmpPin, INPUT);

Serial.begin(9600); }

void loop()

{float temp = ((analogRead(tmpPin) * (5.0/1024))-0.5)/0.01; Serial.println( temp );

digitalWrite(heaterPin, HIGH);

digitalWrite(motorPin, HIGH);

delay(200);

digitalWrite(motorPin, LOW);

delay(200);

digitalWrite(motorPin, HIGH);

delay(200);

digitalWrite(motorPin, LOW);

delay(400); }

4. Check the functioning of the circuit

Tip: Check that everything is well connected: even one wrong connection could lead to a malfunction of the whole circuit.

Solder all components together with the soldering iron and secure the connections by heating the heat-shrinkable sleeve. For cable lengths refer to the supplied file.

TIP: You can print out the diagram in full size to ensure the positioning of the components.

1. To assemble the jacket: match the 2 fronts with the back, right sides together, and sew the shoulders seams and the side seams and the bottom of the sleeve. The side seam should stop where the piece starts to curve.

2. Do the same with the lining

TIP: If you want to make embellishments/insert labels, now is the time to do it!

Sew the circuit onto the panel with hand stitches/hot glue.

TIP: To create the connections between the wires and Lilypad, we suggest the use of conductive thread.

Apply Velcro on the edges of the panel and also on the reverse side of the lining to match those applied on the panel. The 2 parts should then match.

TIP: Velcro can be machine sewn or secured with fabric glue.

Now it’s time to fit the 3D printed pieces according to the following picture:

STARTING FROM THE BOTTOM WE HAVE:

-The panel

-The lower part of the 3D

-The vibe motor (to be inserted only for large pieces of size 40 mm)

-The lining

-The upper part of the 3D piece

As you can clearly see, the holes made in the fabric help you to understand the positioning of the 3D parts.

Place the lining inside the outside of the jacket, right sides together, and sew the hem sleeves, collar, front edges and bottom hem.

NB: leave the central section of the hem open.

Sew the invisible zip in the section left open.

Turn the jacket inside out and stuff it.

The jacket must be powered:

option 1: attached to the computer

option 2: with a power bank

option 3: with a lipo battery

Our product has just reached a prototype stage, but there is room for many improvements. For this reason it is intended to be open-source: we believe in the power of a global community that could use different kinds of expertise to advance the product. This way it will become more and more helpful to people.

Firstly, the IoT aspect needs development. Ideally, users would be able to send a message to their loved ones simply by pushing a button on the jacket. Jackets would then automatically exchange data from one to the other in order to replicate the body temperature and heartbeat of the distant person, making the hug sensation more realistic. Secondly, the power sources for our circuit are not ideal for long usage. An easier rechargable battery system should be developped. Lastly, the shape, size, materials and embellishments could be further personalised according to personal taste.

Start hugging!